Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel wins European Railway Award
The 2018 European Railway Award has been awarded to two pioneers of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the world that runs under the Gotthard massif in the Swiss Alps.
Peter Jedelhauser of Swiss Railways and Renzo Simoni, former CEO of AlpTransit Gotthard AG, received the award on Tuesday evening in Brussels “on behalf of everyone involved in building and putting Gotthard Base Tunnel into operation”.
This prize, considered the most important in the rail industry, is awarded by the Community of European Railways (CER) and the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE).
Running for 57 kilometres under the Alps, the tunnel is a feat of engineering.
The jury took several factors into account, including the essential role that the tunnel plays for transalpine rail freight and for Europe-wide transport policy. “In Switzerland there is clear public support and political commitment to shifting the transport of freight from road to rail,” said CER Executive Director Libor Lochman. “The Gotthard Base Tunnel is part of this plan and it is hugely valuable to the people of Europe.”
“The longest railway tunnel in the world is not just an outstanding example of European engineering prowess,” added Philippe Citroën, Director General of UNIFE. “By overcoming geographical and infrastructural obstacles, the tunnel demonstrates how rail traffic can play a crucial role in ensuring an efficient and environmentally sustainable economy in Europe.”
The Gotthard Base Tunnel was officially opened to great celebration on June 1, 2016, after 17 years of construction. Freight trains have been running regularly through the tunnel since September 2016 and passenger trains since December the same year.
This is the third time Switzerland has won the European Railway Award after former government minister Moritz Leuenberger in 2009 and ex-CEO of Swiss Railways Benedikt Weibel in 2013.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Could the Gotthard tunnel project help revive a Swiss village?
This content was published on
170 workers are being drafted in to Göschenen to build the new Gotthard road tunnel, but there's controversy over where they should stay.
Swiss high-speed trains took a slow, steady debate
This content was published on
Travelling at speeds of 200km/h (124mph), trains have now been traversing the longest tunnel in the world under the Alps for a year.
‘Chinese trains could one day travel through the Gotthard’
This content was published on
Chinese trains are on track to be a major force in the European market, says a Swiss-based railway expert and consultant.
This content was published on
A year has passed since Switzerland inaugurated the world’s longest railway tunnel. More underground marvels are in the pipeline.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.